Starting classes again

[Guest TheEvilGosling]

Hello everyone,

 

I'm considering taking ballet classes again and I was wondering what to expect in a few areas. First I should mention that I'm 17, and that I have taken classes before, from when I was maybe 8 to 10 years old. It was a fairly serious school I think, but I chose only to take once course a week and it was only for those few years, so I didn't get a huge amount of training.

 

One big question is - will I be able to dance en pointe? I'm sure it depends a lot on things that are hard to tell over the internet, which is why I'm hoping to talk to a dance teacher soon. But in general, is it totally crazy to think that a seventeen year old with limited experience could be able to accomplish that, or is it possibly a realistic goal if I start classes soon and work hard towards that goal? I'm fairly flexible due to those few years of ballet, gymnastics, and tae kwon do classes, and I'm willing to put in a large amount of work to build up the necessary strength.

 

That's not my only or most important goal in taking dance classes at all. However, it is something that I'd like to know beforehand whether it's even realistic to strive for, you know? Mostly, I'm looking for a fun dance class with friendly classmates, so that I can dance again - because I love to, and because it's a great work out that keeps you in shape physically and mentally. I'm not interested in dancing professionally, and at this late age I know I wouldn't be able to anyway.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations as to how to choose a dance school? How many classes should I be taking weekly? I imagine more than one if I want to be in pointe shoes eventually...hrm.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[Victoria Leigh]

Yes, you will definitely need more than one class a week! As to whether pointe work is a realistic goal or not, it will depend a lot on your foot, in terms of it's strength and flexibility, your rotation, and your overall structure. It will also depend on both quality and quantity of training.

 

To find a good school, start with the nearest professional company. If there is not a professional company in your city, look for an active civic level company (student company), for instance one that belongs to the Regional Ballet Association. (In the South it would be a SERBA company, in the North NERBA, and I'm not sure what it's called in other areas of the country. I think there are at least 5 regions.) A professional school will have students who regularly attend high level Summer Intensive programs around the country, and some graduates who are in professional companies.

 

If these do not exist in your area, try to find a school that specializes in BALLET, not in competitions, lyrical, hip hop, and recitals. Their advanced dancers will have daily classes for several hours.

 

Your problem will be finding enough classes for a beginning 17 year old. Even though you had a bit, it was very young and very little. You will be starting over and will need a total beginning class at first. You might have to take some Adult level classes in order to have 3 or 4 classes a week. Good luck!

[Guest TheEvilGosling]

Would professional companies have any classes at all devoted to beginners my age? I don't think there's one near me, but I don't know...the school I went to before had a few other kinds of dance courses but primarily focused on ballet.

 

I guess I'm torn. Part of me very much loves ballet and wants to be in pointe shoes, and I'm willing to work hard to acheive that. But I wish I could acheive that at a more relaxed dance school - I remember at the school I attended when I was little, the dancers were all very serious, and they kind of looked down on me for not being as serious (even when I was little..) It's not that there's anything wrong with being serious at all! I just wish it was a friendlier atmosphere.

 

Okay, that really had nothing to do with the topic, I'm sorry Do you think that if I met and worked with a dance teacher a bit, she'd (or he'd) be able to tell whether I have any possibilty of doing pointe work? I just don't want to get my hopes up and work hard for years only to have my hopes crushed and be told I'll never dance en pointe! I'd much rather know that from the start.

 

Well, thank you very much for your advice! I'll be sure to keep it in mind if I decide I want to start dancing seriously.

[Victoria Leigh]

The schools connected to companies usually have classes for everyone. They might have teenage beginning classes, or you might need to take adult classes. I will say, however, that if your goal is pointe work, I do think it's very important to be more concerned about the quality of the school and the teachers than the atmosphere. You were so young when you danced before that the seriousness should not even have been an issue. But now, if you want pointe work, it needs to be an issue. Pointe is not a recreational activity.

[Victoria Leigh]

The schools connected to companies usually have classes for everyone. They might have teenage beginning classes, or you might need to take adult classes. I will say, however, that if your goal is pointe work, I do think it's very important to be more concerned about the quality of the school and the teachers than the atmosphere. You were so young when you danced before that the seriousness should not even have been an issue. But now, if you want pointe work, it needs to be an issue. Pointe is not a recreational activity.

[Guest TheEvilGosling]

Thank you! I think I'm going to start looking for a good dance school There are a lot of threads already here about how to choose a good quality school, which is nice. Maybe somewhere I can find a list of reputable schools near where I live, too, to know where to start. I can't wait to be dancing again!

Edited August 31, 2004 by TheEvilGosling

[Guest sodancaMiss]

WOW E.G. I applaude your taking up ballet again after all these years. I say that because I am doing the same thing. I am actually 23 and I took ballet off and on till about 16. I then restarted a few years ago taking Lyrical and now I am taking Ballet, Jazz/Hip Hop, & Lyrical. I want you to know it is harder to see the younger ones fly past you but they don't fly for long. If you had some training as a young person it helps and you will remember some of the things from your younger days. Here is my advice: If at first you don't suceed don't give up but try try again. I know it can be frusterating but it's alot of fun.

[Guest TheEvilGosling]

Thanks, sodanca! It's good to know other people are doing this and finding it rewarding

[Guest _mechanicaldoll]

I did ballet from the age of 3-10, then didn't get back into it until I was 16. For the first six months that I was back, I took two technique classes and four private lessons per week. After those six months, I was put onto Pointe and now I'm dancing with my school's company. So it is possible for you to get onto pointe if you train hard enough and have the proper strength/turn-out/technique/etc. Good luck!

[lds_dancing_princess]

I danced form age 5-10 and stopped. I went back when I was 15 and took 2 classes a week. I started pointe work last year and I am taking 4 ballet classes a week now plus 2 Irish classes. I am also dancing with my schools dance company and I am a teahers aid for the kinderballet and first year ballet classes. You can do anything if you put your mind to it and work hard!